Actionable solutions

The Delta Dental Institute conducts, supports, and promotes research to help policymakers, educators, health care practitioners, businesses, and families make informed decisions about oral health. We partner with leading scientists, academic institutions, health care groups, and other organizations to explore important oral health topics and produce data-driven insights in pursuit of actionable solutions for improved oral and overall health.

Findings

Across the country, Delta Dental companies are tackling the most important issues in oral health care. Check out recent research from within the Delta Dental system.

Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation

In response to a need for more information about the hygienist workforce in Iowa, this report compiles data on dental hygienists from stakeholders across the state and serves as a guide for monitoring dental hygiene workforce trends in the future.

Delta Dental of Kentucky

The first statewide survey of its kind conducted in 15 years, the study analyzes the oral health status of third- and sixth-grade students and uses the research as a basis for recommendations to improve the oral health of Kentucky's population.

Delta Dental of Michigan Research and Data Institute

This study examines the effectiveness of high-resolution ultrasound technologies in assisting with successful dental implant placement and assessment. It is potentially a valuable tool in evaluating long-term peri-implant tissue stability without the concerns of exposure to ionizing radiation.

According to the Institute of Medicine, infections that begin in the mouth can travel throughout the body. Additionally, oral disease is associated with poor health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

For example, the American Academy of Periodontology states that diabetes may increase the risk for periodontal disease and that managing periodontal disease may improve diabetes control.

Untreated dental disease can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' "Oral Health In America" report. A 2016 Delta Dental survey found that American children miss more than nine million full school days each year due to oral health problems.